Contact clip for fuse cutout



Allg 25, 1959 G. R. MccLoqD CONTACT CLIP FCR FUSE CuTouT Filed Dec. 20, 1956 INVENTOR GEORGE R. MCLOUD ATTO R NEYS United States Patent O CONTACT CLIP FOR FUSE CUTOUT George R. McCloud, Cudahy, Wis., assignor to McGrawv Edison Company, a corporation of Delaware Application December 20, 1956, Serial No. 629,650

7 Claims. (Cl. 20o-133) This invention relates to a contact clip for a housedtype fuse cutout assembly and in particular to an improved support or attachment for the stationary contact clips.

Fuse cutouts in power distribution systems normally may include an insulating housing having a pair of spaced U-sh-aped contact clips which are supported within the housing and which are adapted to releasably grasp correspondingly spaced contact portions of a fuse tube assembly. Connector means are provided in the contact clips for receiving line conductors through suitable line connector openings in the housing.

The clips are quite commonly secured to the housing by cementing an ear portion of the clip within a recess in the housing. The pouring and curing of the cement is both costly and time consuming.

In accordance with the present invention, a spring clip is supported within the housing through cooperating extensions and openings or recesses provided in the clip and housing.

A particularly simple and inexpensive embodiment of the present invention provides the side arms of a U-shaped clip with oppositely extending ears which extend through the line connector openings in the housing and thereby support the clip in position. Projections on the base of the clip are disposed within recesses formed in the interior of the rear or back housing wall to prevent rotation of the clip about the ears. In assemblying the housing and the contact clips, the side arms of the clips are pinched together to allow the ears to enter the housing and after insertion into the housing, the arms are released and the earsenter into the line connector openings. Although the attachment of the contact clip is somewhat loose within the housing in an unfused state, the attachment is firm and stable when a fuse tube is inserted into the clips.

- The present invention provides a simple and rapidly assembled tube type fuse cutout employing a low cost contact clip support.

The drawing furnished herewith illustrates the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

In the drawing: p

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a housed fuse cutout showing the parts in a fused position;

Fig. 2 is a front view with the housing door removed; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the method of inserting the clip. Referring to the drawing, and particularly Figure l, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a fuse housing -1 having a pivoting front cover or door 2 with a fuse tube assembly 3 secured to the inner surface of door 2. In a fused position, the fuse tube assembly 3 is grasped by an upper contact assembly 4 and a lower contact assembly 5 to electrically connect a pair of line conductors 6 which are secured within the contact assemblies.

Patented Aug. 25, 1959 The housing 1 is formed of porcelain or other suitable insulating material and is provided with a mounting bracket 7 to permit attachment to suitable equipment. The bracket 7 extends into an opening formed in the exerior surface of the rear of the housing and is secured therein by a suitable cement or the like.

The housing 1 is elongated to permit a relatively wide spacing of the contact assemblies 4 and 5 and thereby eliminate ashover between the assemblies. A barrier 9 extends integrally from the rear wall and between the contact assemblies 4 and 5 to further guard against any possible flashover.

Upper and lower lateral openings 10 are provided in the side walls of the housing in alignment with the upper and lower contact assemblies 4 and 5 to allow entry of the line conductors 6 into the housing and connection to the contact assemblies.

Aligned hook-shaped bearing members 11 are suitably secured to the lower front portion of the side walls to pivotally support the door 2.

The front door 2 is formed of Bakelite or other suitable electrically insulating material and is pivotally attached to the housing 1 by trunnions 12 which are disposed within the hook-shaped bearing members 1'1.

A manipulating handle 13 is provided on the door 2 to allow manual pivoting of the door as with a switch stick, not shown, about the members 11 and thereby to permit selective engagement and disengagement of the fuse tube assembly 3 with the contact assemblies 4 and 5.

The fuse tube assembly 3 includes yan electrically insulating tube 14 and a lower metal sleeve 15 which is securely attached to the tube 14 in any suitable manner, as by a press fit. The sleeve 15 is also securely attached to the interior surface of the door 2, as by mounting bolts 16, to support the fuse tube 14 on the door. An upper metal contact cap 17 threads on to an upper sleeve 1S secured to the upper end of the hollow tube 14 and is connected to a fuse lead 19 by clamping a fuse head 20 on the end of lead 19 between the cap 17 and the sleeve 18.

The fuse lead 19 has a suitable fuse element 21 and extends downwardly and out of the fuse tube 14 and then upwardly to the sleeve 15 to which it is electrically connected by a connecting stud and nut 22 or the like. When door 2 is pivoted to a closed position, as shown in Figure l, the upper cap 17 is grasped by the upper contact assembly 4 and the sleeve 15 is grasped by the lower contact assembly S to normally provide a complete circuit between the line conductors `6. In the event of abnormal current ow, the fuse element 21 melts and the lower portion of the fuse lead 19 drops to open the circuit.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, the upper contact assembly 4 comprises a generally U-shaped or channelshaped contact grasping clip 23 which is formed of a highly resilient and electrically conductive material to provide a positive grip of the contact cap 17 and an electrical connection of the cap 17 and lead 6. The side arms of the channel member are bent inwardly, as at 24, to provide a contact grasping portion with the tips 25 of the arms bent outwardly to provide an extrance guide for the contact cap 17. Immediately in back of the contact portion 24, the side arms are provided with generally circular enlargements 26 shown in Fig. l, which are centrally apertured to provide openings 27 which are aligned withthe openings 10 in the housing 1. Extending laterally from the forward edge of each opening 27 is a projection 28 which is preferably formed integrally with the side arms such as when forming the openings 27.

When the clip 23 is in position within the housing 1, the clip projections 28 extend through the line connector openings 10 in the housing 1 and support the arms of the clip with the clip apertures 27 in alignment with the line connector openings. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the clip 23 has as a part of its base portion a bracket 29 rigidly attached thereto. In order to maintain the clip 23` inA a generally horizontaliplane, projectionsl extend laterally fromthe base portion of the clip- 23 which as shown inl the drawing is, in this embodiment, the bracket portion of the clip; The projections 3G extend parallel to the clip projections 28` andl rest within front to back recesses or slots 31 which are formed within the sidewalls of thehousing 1'. The slots 3-1 are formed to allow insertion of the clip intothe housing 1. The clip Z3 is inserted into the housing 1 with the armsof the clip pinched together toy bring the clip project-ions 2S within the width` of the housing cavity and with the lateral projections 3l) passing down the slots 31, as shown by phantomlines in Fig. 3. When the' clip 23 is inserted as far as possible, the arms are released andthe clip projections 28 pass into the' line connector openings` itl'. Although the clip 213 may then move outwardly of the housing somewhat, the lateral projections 30 still rest within the slots 31 and prevent pivoting about the armprojections 28.

Although the clip 23 is somewhat loosely supported within the housingI 1` ina non-engaged state, when the door 2 closes and: the fuse cap 17 is grasped by the clip, there is a true and rm contact to the conductor 6.

The incoming conductor 6 is connected to the clip Z3 through a collar-type connector which comprises the generally V-shaped bracket 29 opening upwardly and having the one leg of bracket 29' rigidly secured to and forming a part of the back of the clip 23. The other leg 32 of bracket 29 extends upwardly between the side arms of the clip with its end portion disposed in alignment with the openings 27 and 10 in the clip 23 and housing 1, respectively. The latter leg 32 carries a collar 33 slidably disposed thereon with a clamping bolt 3d. extending through a tapped` opening in one wall of the collar and bearing on the bracket leg 32. The lead 6 is inserted between the collar 33 and the leg 32 of the V-shaped bracket 27 and the collar drawn up by tightening the bolt 34 to clamp the lead 6 in place.

A generally hairpin-shaped member 35 has a depending extension 36 soldered or otherwise secured to the base portion of the clip 23 and an upper leg 37 extending upwardly and outwardly from the extension to dispose a lower leg 38 tending to extend downwardly and inwardly within the housing 1 as shown by phantom lines inFigure 1. The lower leg 38 is forced upwardly by the top of the fuse cap 17 to a generally horizontal plane when the door 2is closed. The hairpin-shaped member 35 has no function in the fuse cutout, as illustrated. The member 35- functions if the fuse cutout includes a dropout fuse construction, such as shown and described in United States Patent No. 2,458,743 or some other similarly functioning construction.

The lower contact clip assembly is similar in construction to the upper contact clip. assembly d. The lower contact assembly 5 also includes a clip 39 similar to clip 23 with suitable projections itt which extend into the lower line connector openings and also includes lateral extensions 41 from the base portion of clip 39 which are disposed withinsuitable front-to-back recesses or slots 42 in the side walls of the housing 1 tosupport and position the lower clip 39 within the housing 1.

A V-shaped bracket 43:` is secured to the clip 39 to form a part of the base portion of the clip 39 with the lateral projections 41 extending therefrom and to dispose a collar 44 and clamping bolt 45 carried by the free bracket leg 46 in alignment with the lower line connector openings 10. The V-shaped bracket 43 is inverted, i.e., opens downwardly to provide ample clearance for the stud and nut 22 when the door 2 is swung open.

When the door 2` is pivoted to a closed position, the lower contact clip 39' tightly grasps the metal sleeve 15 which is secured to the front door 2 and establishes a limi andA positive cont-act.

Even though the contact assemblies 4 and 5, as assembled with the housing 1', are somewhat freely supported, there is positive connection between the conductors 6 when the fuse tube assembly 3 is disposed in engagement with the clips 23 and 39.

Although the described embodiment of the invention employs the lateral projections adjacent the base of the clips, other suitably disposed cooperating projections and slots in the contact assemblies and housingy can be employed. Further, the line connector opening may be provided with slots adaptedv to snugly receive the arm projections and thereby prevent pivoting of the clip without the use of other projections, or the depth of the housing from the forward edge of the line connector opening to the back of the housing may be somewhat less than the depth from the aun projection to the clip base whereby the arm projections will clamp the clip within the housing. To establish a relatively 'rm support of the clip when the fuse tube is withdrawn, such as during storage, transportation and the like, the projections 30 or other suitable member adjacent the base of the clipy may be bowed' toward the rear wall to engage the rear wall and bias the arms 28` toward the front wall of the openings. When the clipis released, the arms 28 engage the front wall and clamp the clip rmly within the housing.

T heV present invention provides a simple and sound support for a stationary contact clip within a housing and a rapidly and easily assembled clip and housing structure.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. A housed type of fusecutout construction, comprising an insulating housing havingv av fuse entrance and a transversely extending lead-in opening, and a contact positioned within the housing in alignment with said fuse entrance and adapted to engage the fuse tube and having a laterally extending arm4 adapted to extend into the leadin opening with the clip and housing assembled to support the clip, said housing and said contact having a cooperating projection and slot adapted to support the contact within the housing with the clip and housing assembled.

2. A fuse cutout construction, which comprises a housing with a fuse entrance and opposed transversely extending lead-in openings, a channel-shaped clip adapted to be disposed within said housing adjacent the openings to graspingly engage the fuse, and arms oppositely extending laterally at least one each from the clip and adapted to extend into the adjacent lead-in openings with the clip and housing assembled to support the clip within the houslng.

3. In a fuse cutout assembly having a housing with a fuse entrance for receiving a fuse and with transversely aligned side openings for insertion of line conductors of a power circuit and with slots disposed rearwardly of the side openings, a resilient channel-shaped clip for assembly in said housing to engage said fuse and connect the fuse in series with said line conductors in said power circuit, a irst set of arm members projecting from the sides of the clip and into the side openings of the housing, and a second set of arm members projecting from the sides of the clip rearwardly of the rst set of arm members and into said slots of the housing, the rst set of arm members retaining the clip within the housing and the second set of arm members preventing rotation of the clip in the housing.

4. In combination, a housing having an upper set of aligned openings and a lower set of aligned openings in opposite walls of the housing, generally channel-shaped clips disposed within the housing one adjacent cach set of aligned openings with the `side of the clips; adjacent said openings, and outwardly opposed projectionsintegral.-

ly formed on the sides. of each clipl and extending into the openings to support the clips in position, said clips having openings aligned with the openings in the housing to permit insertion of a line conductor through the openings and into the housing.

5. A housed fuse cutout construction, which comprises an insulating housing having an open front and having an upper pair and a lower pair of aligned conductor openings in the side Walls of the housing, a door pivotally secured to the lower portion of the housing and adapted t-o close the front of the housing, a fuse tube mounted on the inner side of the door and positioned within the housing with the door closed, channel-shaped clips having side arms disposed adjacent the openings in the side Walls and opening toward said door for clamping engagement of the fuse tube when the door is closed, lateral extensions provided on Isaid side arms and extending within the conductor openings to support the clips within the housing, a second set of lateral extensions on said arms in spaced parallel relation to said rst named lateral extensions, and said housing having recesses arranged to receive said last named lateral extensions whereby said rst and second named lateral extensions support and retain said clips within the housing in fuse engaged and disengaged position.

6. A housed type fuse cutout, which comprises an electrically insulating housing having aligned upper line connector openings and aligned lower line connector openings in the opposite wall portions of the housing and having a fuse inserting opening disposed generally perpendicular to said line connector openings, contact clips of a generally U-shape, said clips being mounted Within the housing with the side portions adjacent the line connector openings and opening toward the fuse inserting opening, said side portions having apertures in alignment with said connector openings to allow extension through the side members of a lead from outside the housing to the space between the `side portions, connecting means disposed between the iside portions and adapted to securely grip the lead, lateral projections extending outwardly from the front edge of the apertures in the side portions and into the line connector openings to provide a support for the contact clip, lateral projections extending from the base portion of the clip parallel to said rst named lateral extensions, and said housing having cooperating slots aligned with said connector openings to receive said last named lateral extensions to support the clip with the clip opening toward the fuse inserting opening of the housing.

7. A housed fuse cutout construction, which comprises a rectangular housing having aligned upper `and lower openings in opposed side walls and having an open front and front to back slots in the side walls in alignment with said openings, a cover pivotally mounted on the side walls to close the open front, a fuse tube assembly secured to the cover and having an upper contact and a lower Contact generally aligned with said opening in a fused position, U-shaped members having a base portion and spaced side arms extending from the base portion, said side arms graspingly engaging said contacts and having an opening in each of the side arms aligned with said housing openings to allow insertion `of a conductor, outwardly extending lateral extensions secured to each of the base portions of the U-shaped members and resting Within said front to back slots, and outwardly extending lateral extensions integrally formed with the forward edge of said arm openings and disposed within the forward portion of the housing openings, said first named and said second named extensions supporting the U-shaped members within the housing.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,011,391 Bennett Aug. 13, 1935 2,072,854 Conrad Mar. 9, 1937 2,134,075 Dey Oct. 25, 1938 2,134,566 Lingal et al Oct. 25, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,855 Australia June 20, 1927 

